NOvember: A New Campaign Against Negativity

Yesterday, the blog turned 3. It’s officially out of the toddler phase and, before I know it, will be telling me I’m not its real mom. As we face into our fourth year together, I want to focus on the real aim behind this blog – to inspire you to effect positive change in your life.

So I’m kicking off a campaign.

I hope you’ll join me.

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Most of you will know I’m on a journey towards minimalism and simplicity, not just in my home but in my head and heart. I’m constantly amazed (and horrified) at how much pressure we put on ourselves to be more, to have more, and to do more. I’m trying to reverse that trend in my own life and want to inspire you to do the same.

With that in mind, I’m starting an annual campaign to remove something from our lives that no longer serves us.

I’m calling it NOvember.

For the month of November, before the holiday chaos really kicks in, I want us to take a long, hard look at everything in our lives and to pick something to say NO to. Something that brings us down, takes up too much of our precious time, is no longer a priority for us, is hurting us, or that we’ve just outgrown.

Something to rise above.

Here are some examples:

Say NO to clutter.​​​​​

Say NO to a negative influence.

Say NO to unhealthy choices.

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Say NO to uncomfortable shoes.

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Say NO to social media.

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Say NO to caffeine after 3pm.

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Say NO to meat.

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Say NO to "fast fashion".

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Say NO to distractions during the work day.

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Say NO to late nights before early mornings.

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Say NO to events you don't want to go to.

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Say NO to wastefulness.

These are just some ideas to get the juices flowing.

It can be a concept, like consumerism, or it can be something very specific, like cans of soda. It can be a global issue, like gender inequality, or it can be a very personal problem, like negative self-talk. You can join forces with others, or you can perform your own personal protest.

Do it for a better world or do it for a better you. But DO IT.

I'm taking part in #NOvember and committing to say NO to negativity in my life. Are you in?

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Last year I said NO to being cold. I know that sounds silly but I always end up shivering and shaking through the winter months and just being plain miserable as a result. So I put a stop to it. I bought myself some thermal clothes, padded jackets, fleece-lined boots and tights… The works!

I just can’t stand being cold. And I realised I don’t have to put up with it. I can’t control the weather but I can control what I wear and how cosy my home is, so that’s what I did.

Whatever it is for you, use the month of November to take a stand against it. Tell yourself (and others, if you’d like) that this is something you’re not going to allow in your life anymore.

You can do it just for the month, or you can use the month to kickstart a positive and permanent change.

This month, I’m saying NO to loose ends. I have lots of little tasks that I keep putting off, like finding a doctor, dentist, and hair stylist here in the States, fixing random little things, filing papers, updating schedules and spreadsheets, etc.

There are certain small things that have been hanging around my to-do list for far too long, or larger tasks that require some action to move them forward… Those are my focus for the foreseeable.

I’m also saying NO to guilt. I won’t feel guilty about letting my daughter watch some TV or eat cereal for lunch. And I won’t let someone else make me feel guilty because they think I should be doing something differently. I will continue to take constructive feedback on board and make an informed decision about whether to take action or not, and I will always strive to be better. But I will not feel guilty or ashamed for how I choose to live my life.

And now it’s over to you. Will you join the movement? Will you take part in NOvember and finally put the foot down on something that’s holding you back? Will you break free from whatever’s bringing you down? Will you take a stand against something that no longer serves you?

And will you spread the word so others can join the campaign too? Let’s all live lives where we’re not afraid to take control and say NO to things that don’t move us forward. Say NO to things that don’t reflect our best selves. Say NO to things that don’t make the world a better place, for ourselves, for our children, and for future generations.

By cutting some junk out of our lives, we’re leaving more space for positivity and learning and growth.

It starts with YOU. Lead by example and shine a brighter light for those around you.

What are you saying NO to in NOvember?

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Please considering SHARING this post to inspire others to say no to negativity too, using the hashtag #NOvember:

7 Comments

This is such a good idea! I’m definitely doing it, and though I’d love to go all-out, I think I’m just going to start with saying NO to negative self-talk. I’ll need the extra boost too, since next month is NaNoWriMo.

But thanks for starting this! I just shared it on my Facebook timeline! ♥♥♥

I love the idea of saying no to guilt! That’s definitely a big struggle for me, feeling guilty about how I spend my time. I think this is a great campaign and one that will help a lot of people, especially as the New Years creeps up and we start to think on all the things that we need to change in our lives. Active self-improvement is good, but sometimes it’s more beneficial to just say NO to the things that are keeping us down.